A literary gem of our cultural heritage, written by a brilliant novelist

Marie-Madeleine de La Fayette published this novel in 1678. The narrative period lasts from 1558 to 1560, during the reign and the court of King Henry II. The Princess of Cleves, her husband and the Duke of Nemours, are invented characters, but probably inspired by historical figures having already existed (Elisabeth of Austria for the Princess of Cleves). The first part seemed to me difficult, as the author attempts to describe the court and its intrigues, its dukes, its deckchairs, its princes and princesses, viscounts, king, queen, queen runner ... it is loses. But it is worth it to hang as a result is easier and more interesting, despite often unusual turns of phrase or complicated (style said "precious" in the seventeenth century, but it's making it all charm over 300 years later).

Adrienne tells us so "violent inclination" (passion) between the Duke of Nemours and Princess of Cleves, the latter being married to the Prince of Cleves she appreciates and respects, but love him truly. It seems also that everyone in court is married to someone he or she does not really like to go and then find love in other arms in secret (or openly). The catch here is that the princess is a virtue and boundless unsurpassed. Adrienne admirably described the emotions, passions and torments of the characters, and his book has even been called a pioneer in psychological literature. The writing is beautiful and some turns of phrase command respect as entanglement and reasoning are complex. There is an embedded structure and the digressions (Annexes stories presented by secondary characters) that feeds underlying morality, but never judge. The plot skillfully develops progressively, subtly led through misunderstandings, mistakes, unfortunate actions and other of circumstances. Some blame this book his little action, I do not agree. It happens in a lot of things and rebondisements abound.

It is amusing to note that at that time, people of the courtyard and stared watching a lot, to guess on the face and expression, emotion or excitement waving their interlocutor. It is also a time when the torment lovers could do become seriously ill within days or even hours, according to this book. If that were true, I would have died several times :-)).

Salute the courage and brilliant mind of Madame de Lafayette, published at a time when women were still largely treated as inferior to men. So this book is a gem of our national heritage.